US Milk Deemed Safe as Pasteurization Halts Avian Flu Spread
Source: The DairyNews
Federal health officials have confirmed that pasteurization effectively eliminates the bird flu virus from milk, assuring consumers of its safety amid concerns over the spread of avian flu in dairy cattle across the United States.
As Colorado became the ninth U.S. state to report an infected dairy herd, federal lawmakers pressed the Biden administration to take decisive action to contain the virus's spread. Tests revealed remnants of the virus in one in five U.S. commercial milk samples, indicating a wider outbreak than previously believed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed on Friday that preliminary tests using gold-standard PCR testing demonstrated the virus's elimination in pasteurized milk and baby formula. While the FDA plans to conduct further testing on 297 products from 38 states, it emphasized the safety of milk products already on the market.
Although one Texas farm worker contracted bird flu and suffered conjunctivitis, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed the overall public health risk as low. However, the risk is elevated for individuals with exposure to infected animals.
Despite the challenges, efforts to contain the virus are underway. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed cases of avian flu in milking cows in multiple states, triggering calls for a stronger federal response.
Dr. Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona, highlighted the far-reaching nature of the outbreak, indicating a widespread epidemic beyond officially confirmed cases. This underscores the urgency of containment efforts to prevent human transmission.
Amid bipartisan calls for action, including the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, efforts are underway to bolster the nation's response to public health threats. The detection of H5N1 genetic materials in milk has intensified these calls.
While the avian flu virus has been detected in commercial milk samples, experts remain confident in the effectiveness of pasteurization to render milk safe for consumption. However, calls for increased sampling in dairy and beef cattle underscore the need for vigilance in monitoring and preventing the spread of avian flu.
The White House has initiated an immediate response to safeguard the nation's food supply, deploying resources to mitigate risk and prevent further spread. Additionally, the USDA will implement measures requiring dairy cows to test negative for bird flu before interstate movement, demonstrating proactive steps to contain the outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed on Friday that preliminary tests using gold-standard PCR testing demonstrated the virus's elimination in pasteurized milk and baby formula. While the FDA plans to conduct further testing on 297 products from 38 states, it emphasized the safety of milk products already on the market.
Although one Texas farm worker contracted bird flu and suffered conjunctivitis, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed the overall public health risk as low. However, the risk is elevated for individuals with exposure to infected animals.
Despite the challenges, efforts to contain the virus are underway. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed cases of avian flu in milking cows in multiple states, triggering calls for a stronger federal response.
Dr. Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona, highlighted the far-reaching nature of the outbreak, indicating a widespread epidemic beyond officially confirmed cases. This underscores the urgency of containment efforts to prevent human transmission.
Amid bipartisan calls for action, including the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, efforts are underway to bolster the nation's response to public health threats. The detection of H5N1 genetic materials in milk has intensified these calls.
While the avian flu virus has been detected in commercial milk samples, experts remain confident in the effectiveness of pasteurization to render milk safe for consumption. However, calls for increased sampling in dairy and beef cattle underscore the need for vigilance in monitoring and preventing the spread of avian flu.
The White House has initiated an immediate response to safeguard the nation's food supply, deploying resources to mitigate risk and prevent further spread. Additionally, the USDA will implement measures requiring dairy cows to test negative for bird flu before interstate movement, demonstrating proactive steps to contain the outbreak.
